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Tigers overcome Fister's command issues, rout Mets

3/24/13: Don Kelly swats a two-run home run to right field to push the Tigers' lead to 9-2 in the top of the seventh inning

By Anthony DiComo
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MLB.com |

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Doug Fister's inconsistent spring continued on Sunday in a 9-4 Tigers win Sunday over the Mets at Tradition Field.

Fister, who entered the game with a 7.36 Grapefruit League ERA, walked four batters and allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings. Though he was able to limit the overall damage, Fister has now walked 12 batters over 19 1/3 spring innings.

The Mets scored their only runs off Fister on a wild pitch in the second inning and Ike Davis' RBI single in the third. Al Alburquerque later struck out three New York batters in an impressive inning of relief.

Though Mets starter Matt Harvey looked sharp early, striking out the side in the first, he walked in a run in the second inning and gave up four runs in total. Two of those came during a fourth-inning rally that saw Omar Infante triple in a run and Austin Jackson double home another.

"It wasn't the easiest day to pitch," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "That guy for them [Harvey] is really good. That kid is really impressive. The ball was just jumping out of his hands. Doug goes about it a little different way, but pitched very effective today."

Don Kelly blew the game open with a two-run homer off Mets reliever Brandon Lyon in a five-run seventh inning, shortly after outfielder Matt den Dekker left the game with an apparent right wrist injury.

Up next: Detroit will stay over on Florida's east coast and make the short trip from Port St. Lucie on Sunday to Jupiter on Monday to take on the Marlins at 1:05 p.m. ET. Most of the lineup of regulars will continue on, with Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez the only players heading back to Lakeland on Sunday night. Rick Porcello, fighting to keep his spot as the Tigers' fifth starter, gets the start, with Brayan Villarreal, Alburquerque and Luke Putkonen expected in relief. Wade LeBlanc will start for Miami.

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.